Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones’ Hyde Park show: ‘This is no exercise in nostalgia’

Frontman says the gig will "have its own moments" after the band's legendary 1969 show in the London park

Mick Jagger has said The Rolling Stones‘ gig in Hyde Park this weekend will be “no exercise in nostalgia”.

The band last played the central London park in 1969 shortly after the death of their bandmate Brian Jones. Jagger famously wore white and read from Shelley’s poem Adonaïs, and hundreds of white butterflies were released in Jones’ memory.

“This is no exercise in nostalgia,” he told the Evening Standard of this weekend’s performance. “This is a big gig. It’s in Hyde Park and yes, we played here before. In 1969 it was a big occasion. But this will have its own moments. It won’t be a reflection of other moments.”

He added: “I’m sure it’ll evoke lots of memories. I remember the day, but you’re not sure whether what you remember is the film or what you really remember.”

Speaking of the new stage, he added: “It doesn’t look anything like it did. This is a huge set.”

Last Saturday (June 29), the band made their first appearance at Glastonbury, headlining the Pyramid Stage. Commenting on the Stones’ absence from the Worthy Farm bill over the years, and the festival’s reportedly dogged pursuit of them to headline, Jagger joked “So they finally asked us.”